FOR the nth time Pastor Apollo Quiboloy snubbed the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros prompting her to cite him in contempt.

Quiboloy is facing alleged child abuse and exploitation, sexual abuse, torture, unfair labor practice and other abuses allegedly committed by Quiboloy himself and his church the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).

During her opening statement, Hontiveros presented various charges being hurled against her and the committee including the alleged bribery and a video clip was presented where a certain a certain member is convincing each and every witness to recant their testimonies against Quiboloy.

The camp of Quiboloy even challenged Hontiveros to bring it to the proper court where they can answer all the charges point by point and accordingly citing the fact that the ongoing hearing is a violation of his constitutional right as a Filipino.

Quiboloy through his counsel, Atty. Melanio Elvis Balayan said his client cannot anymore attend the ongoing hearing “because Resolution No. 884 already made a categorical conclusion that Pastor Quiboloy already committed and is still committing the crimes being alluded to him.”

“With all due respect your honors and the Senate as an institution, we hereby submit that the issuance and enforcement of the said subpoena is in wanton violation of the fundamental and sacred constitutional rights of our client against self-incrimination and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.” the letter from the Balayan Law firm clearly stated.

But Hontiveros shrugged off the letter of Balayan Law firm saying that the committee is doing what is required of them under the law.

“If we allow such claimed. Lahat ng sangkot sa ibat ibang krime ay iiwas na lang sa imbestigasyon sa Senado by invoking their constitutional right. I am making a ruling of contempt for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy,” Hontiveros who chairs the Senate committee said.

At this juncture, Senator Robinhood Padilla who also attended the hearing immediately asked for a suspension of the ongoing hearing and privately talked to Hontiveros and her lawyer.

Padilla objected to the ruling of contempt against Pastor Quiboloy, and cited the Rules of the Senate, under Section 18 which clearly states: that majority of all members may reverse the ruling within 7 days.

“Salamat po sa pagtanggap po sa aking objection,” Padilla said during the hearing.

Hontiveros said the objection may be overruled by a majority of the members of the Committee based on this section of the ruling of the Senate.

A new witness named Reynita Fernandez based in Singapore as a domestic helper claimed she was abused by the KOJC and told of money laundering in the city state using dummies.